Ella Virginia Wakeley

Ella Virginia Tessier Wakeley known to all as "Ella V.", passed away peacefully at the age of 95 on December 17, 2025, surrounded by her family.

A mother of five, grandmother of 14, great grandmother of 29, and a great, great grandmother of two, she lived a life of service to her cherished Roman Catholic Church. Born on April 4, 1930, Ella V. enjoyed a long career as an elementary school teacher and a life-long volunteer at her beloved church parish of St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Kinder, LA. She served as a Extraordinary Minister of the Eucharist, a sacristan, a catechist for both children and adults through CCD and OCIA (formerly RCIA), coordinated the Albert Karam Christmas basket program, organized and worked at St. Vincent's Closet, coordinated the perpetual adoration program, served on the SPN Finance Council, and until four months ago, was SPN's administrator of the CENLA Feeding Program. These contributions and more led to her receiving the Companions of Honor Award from the Diocese of Lake Charles. She remained faithfully involved with these ministries and more with the assistance and support of many parishioners who knew and loved her. Service to God was an integral part of her long and well-lived life as a mother, grandmother, educator, co-worker, friend and volunteer.

Life for Ella V. Wakeley began in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where she, along with seven brothers, was born to Charles Robert Tessier, Sr. and his wife Melva Muse Ligon Tessier. After graduating from LSU, she married Harry K. Wakeley of Houston, Texas in November of 1952, and eventually settled in southwest Louisiana. She was drawn to the small town of Kinder where she enjoyed spending time in the summers with her aunts, uncles, and cousins. It was here where she and her husband, Harry, raised their five children. Education was always a focus, and she pursued her Masters and Plus 30 at McNeese State University. She and Harry also ensured that each of their five children were raised in the church and that each received degrees of higher learning. Of this she was very proud and spoke of it often.

She is survived by her four daughters, Laure Smith and husband David of Kinder, LA, Linda Bard and husband Bruce of Folsom, LA, Leigh Ann Soileau and husband Ben of Broussard, LA, Barbara Lungaro and husband Paul of Kerrville, TX, and one son, Kent Wakeley and wife Cindy of Natchitoches, LA. A total of 45 grandchildren and great grandchildren called her Maw Maw Wakeley. Additionally, she is survived by her youngest brother, Patrick Tessier of Baton Rouge, LA.

Ella V. was preceded in death by her devoted husband Harry, her parents Bert and Melva, an infant daughter, Allison Wakeley, her grandson James "Mac" McLachlan, IV of Covington, LA and infant grandson, Jay Soileau. Additionally, six brothers preceded her as well and include Charlie, Jeff, John, Jack, Tommy, and Steve Tessier, all formally of Baton Rouge.

Family will receive friends on Monday, December 22, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., with a Rosary being held at 10:00 a.m., in the Reed Chapel, at Riley Smith & Sons, 315 N. 14th Street, Kinder, Louisiana. The Mass of Christian Burial will take place, Monday, December 22, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church, Kinder, Louisiana. Father Alan Trouille will be officiating. Interment to follow at Carter Memorial Cemetery, Kinder.

A celebration of life reception will follow in Smith Hall from 3:00 p.m. until 4:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers we ask that you please make a donation to one of the many ministries at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Kinder, LA. Ella V. would love that!

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